An investment note by Piper Jaffray calls the new iPhone shortage a sign of an impending new model. Also, Adobe will soon announce the next major version of Acrobat with new features, Sprint and Samsung have unleashed a direct iPhone rival, and a new report says Hon Hai will produce 10 million new iPhones.

Analyst: low iPhone supply likely sign of refresh

With stock of Apple's touchscreen cellphone running almost completely dry across the US, senior Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said on Tuesday that the shortage pointed to an upgrade.

The low supply, verified across 20 stores in a separate check from AppleInsider's, gave an 80 percent chance that an update was coming "earlier than anticipated," according to Munster. There was also a 20 percent chance given that the low supply was evidence of a production problem.

A release in the near future would contradict a report issued on Monday by Munster himself, who called for a June release of a 3G iPhone, as well as those by several other analysts. If accurate, however, the device would probably be a similarly-styled replacement for the $400 model rather than a premium or heavily reworked version, he added.

The researcher also noted that Apple's iPhone growth, while unlikely to top 2 million iPhones shipped this quarter, was "a full 2-3 years ahead" of the iPod's, which didn't reach the same shipping volume until 2005.

Adobe Acrobat 9 to launch in weeks

Adobe is prepping a launch for its Acrobat 9 PDF creation tool within the next two months, AppleInsider has learned.

The new version will primarily extend some features of today's high-end versions to the mainstream. An ability to convert 3D files from AutoCAD and other programs to PDF files will be available in the Professional edition, for example. The software will also enable collaborating on documents from an Adobe server, similar to a web-based beta service launched on Monday.

However, a planned move to allow the creation of fillable PDF forms in the Standard edition will be limited to the Windows release; for Mac users, the option will be available only for the Professional edition, which should cost $200 more. Adobe will offer a free upgrade to anyone who buys a paid version of Acrobat 8 after version 9 is announced.

Adobe is expected to hold a briefing for the press later this month on its plans for the software, though those details will remain secret until late June.

Sprint next in line with iPhone rival

Adding to the growing ranks of all-touchscreen phones reaching US shores, Sprint has unveiled the Samsung Instinct.

The device is Sprint's first non-business device of its kind and dwells heavily on media playback and entertainment, but is said to have a few enhancements over its counterpart at AT&T: 3G Internet access over EVDO Revision A, assisted GPS, and vibration responses to touch that mimic real buttons.

In an unusual coincidence, Sprint officially plans to ship the phone in June, one year after the iPhone's release in the US, and will similarly require that buyers subscribe to a special monthly plan; in the Instinct's case, this will involve a $70 service with unlimited data.

Dow Jones estimates 10 million 3G iPhones to be made by Hon Hai

Furthering its own brief report late last week, Dow Jones now estimates that Hon Hai Precision Industry will ship at least 10 million 3G iPhones in the near future.

While a contract to manufacture the device had already been discussed in the earlier report, the company -- known as Foxconn in the US -- is now allegedly prepared to produce and ship large quantities of the device. The shipment by itself would match Apple's stated goal of selling 10 million iPhones from its June 2007 launch to the end of 2008.

The Taiwan firm is "just waiting for the nod from Apple," according to the report.

An investment note by Piper Jaffray calls the new iPhone shortage a sign of an impending new model. Also, Adobe will soon announce the next major version of Acrobat with new features, Sprint and Samsung have unleashed a direct iPhone rival, and a new report says Hon Hai will produce 10 million new iPhones.

Analyst: low iPhone supply likely sign of refresh

With stock of Apple's touchscreen cellphone running almost completely dry across the US, senior Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said on Tuesday that the shortage pointed to an upgrade.

The low supply, verified across 20 stores in a separate check from AppleInsider's, gave an 80 percent chance that an update was coming "earlier than anticipated," according to Munster. There was also a 20 percent chance given that the low supply was evidence of a production problem.

A release in the near future would contradict a report issued on Monday by Munster himself, who called for a June release of a 3G iPhone, as well as those by several other analysts. If accurate, however, the device would probably be a similarly-styled replacement for the $400 model rather than a premium or heavily reworked version, he added.

The researcher also noted that Apple's iPhone growth, while unlikely to top 2 million iPhones shipped this quarter, was "a full 2-3 years ahead" of the iPod's, which didn't reach the same shipping volume until 2005.

Adobe Acrobat 9 to launch in weeks

Adobe is prepping a launch for its Acrobat 9 PDF creation tool within the next two months, AppleInsider has learned.

The new version will primarily extend some features of today's high-end versions to the mainstream. An ability to convert 3D files from AutoCAD and other programs to PDF files will be available in the Professional edition, for example.

However, a planned move to allow the creation of fillable PDF forms in the Standard edition will be limited to the Windows release; for Mac users, the option will be available only for the Professional edition, which should cost $200 more. Adobe will offer a free upgrade to anyone who buys a paid version of Acrobat 8 after version 9 is announced.

Adobe is expected to hold a briefing for the press later this month on its plans for the software, though those details will remain secret until late June.

Sprint next in line with iPhone rival

Adding to the growing ranks of all-touchscreen phones reaching US shores, Sprint has unveiled the Samsung Instinct.

The device is Sprint's first non-business device of its kind and dwells heavily on media playback and entertainment, but is said to have a few enhancements over its counterpart at AT&T: 3G Internet access over EVDO Revision A, assisted GPS, and vibration responses to touch that mimic real buttons.

In an unusual coincidence, Sprint officially plans to ship the phone in June, one year after the iPhone's release in the US, and will similarly require that buyers subscribe to a special monthly plan; in the Instinct's case, this will involve a $70 service with unlimited data.

Dow Jones estimates 10 million 3G iPhones to be made by Hon Hai

Furthering its own brief report late last week, Dow Jones now estimates that Hon Hai Precision Industry will ship at least 10 million 3G iPhones in the near future.

While a contract to manufacture the device had already been discussed in the earlier report, the company -- known as Foxconn in the US -- is now allegedly prepared to produce and ship large quantities of the device. The shipment by itself would match Apple's stated goal of selling 10 million iPhones from its June 2007 launch to the end of 2008.

The Taiwan firm is "just waiting for the nod from Apple," according to the report.

An investment note by Piper Jaffray calls the new iPhone shortage a sign of an impending new model.

I'm getting scared of a chicken-or-the-egg problem.

As AppleInsider has gotten better and earned trust, it's become a useful source for analysts. And now AppleInside quotes these analysts, who are often confirming AppleInsider's insights a day or so after AppleInsider posts them.... I have to wonder where original research comes from.

I hope that sometime soon AppleInsider separates "online reports or analysis" from its "trusted sources" (wherever they come from)... if they haven't already done this.
.... Perhaps we need headlines like "Piper agrees with AI's reasoning".

"I will never buy an Apple product again if this is the way they treat their customers!"

What was not said is that customers would complain more if Apple just sat on their hands, not releasing new technology. I love that every 2 years or so, when I go to upgrade my equipment, enhanced products are available.

As AppleInsider has gotten better and earned trust, it's become a useful source for analysts. And now AppleInside quotes these analysts, who are often confirming AppleInsider's insights a day or so after AppleInsider posts them.... I have to wonder where original research comes from.

I hope that sometime soon AppleInsider separates "online reports or analysis" from its "trusted sources" (wherever they come from)... if they haven't already done this.
.... Perhaps we need headlines like "Piper agrees with AI's reasoning".

Excellent observation.

I am not "scared" per se, but certainly more than a little concerned!

Tim Cook is gay, believes in climate change, and cares deeply about racial equality. Deal with it (and please spare us if you can't).

When are these companies - the list is endless - going to realize that it is really all about the software. Coolness in hardware has ceased to be a differentiator.

Until they can figure out the software, companies like Samsung should stick to hardware.

Don't underestimate the hardware either. Its the software and hardware together in the perfect implementation that attracts buyers.

What worries me is that only one company......Apple...seems to understand this and is able to innovate....actually innovate (despite lip service of innovation from microsoft) and provide computer products to the consumer.
This troubles me.

I think for some healthy balance perhaps we can get some of those military contractors to start making some innovative products for the consumer.
Northorp-Gruman, Lockheed-Martin, the dudes over at DARPA I mean...
Maybe the same people developing products for warfare and defense might have to be turned to to make some stuff for us consumers because the rest of the industry...especially in mobile products....SUCKS!!!!!

today i was in Apple Store Santa Rosa Plaza in California, and overheard two conversations.

The first involved a couple of employees and one customer and they were telling him they were out of iPhones, and that they were expecting new ones in a few days possibly.

The second, and more exciting, involved two employees, one a manager, and one a consierge. The manager was holding one of the price cards that they have out one display next to the computers and iPods, etc in the plastic holders, and they were talking about how 700 minutes would be "more than enough." Well, there is no iPhone plan currently with 700 minutes!! And i heard at the beginining of the conversation the manager say that this was "the new pricing for the iPhone," so i looked over. Unfortunatly, she saw me and so i had to be super sneaky, but i didnt get as much info as i would like...

I think for some healthy balance perhaps we can get some of those military contractors to start making some innovative products for the consumer.
Northorp-Gruman, Lockheed-Martin, the dudes over at DARPA I mean...
Maybe the same people developing products for warfare and defense might have to be turned to to make some stuff for us consumers because the rest of the industry...especially in mobile products....SUCKS!!!!!

Don't hold your breath. My company just released what's considered one of the more innovative handheld devices in the military market, and its big claim to fame is being able to handle both secret and unclassified data on the same device, but it's otherwise like last year's Blackberry.

I'd love to try porting our command and control software to the iPhone, actually, but it's all Java. Since most military software I've seen is either Java or .NET, Apple won't be playing in that market anytime soon. So I wouldn't look for any cross-polination between DARPA and innovative handhelds this decade.

Don't hold your breath. My company just released what's considered one of the more innovative handheld devices in the military market, and its big claim to fame is being able to handle both secret and unclassified data on the same device, but it's otherwise like last year's Blackberry.

I'd love to try porting our command and control software to the iPhone, actually, but it's all Java. Since most military software I've seen is either Java or .NET, Apple won't be playing in that market anytime soon. So I wouldn't look for any cross-polination between DARPA and innovative handhelds this decade.

Like the blackberry? Is that the best they could come up with? Don't be surprised then if some LE or military units start having apps written for the iphone and ipod touch. After June's full release of the apple iphone sdk anything will be possible.

Apple has been very good at managing their supply line so I'm in the camp that something new is coming soon. It might be 3G, or it might be a 32 gig iPhone - or both in one.

Personally I would like to see the 32 gig version along with a second design at a lower price point. It seems that it has been too long since Jonathan Ive was let loose on an iPhone design and I really want to see what he has come up with.

Maybe Apple will go with a "quiet" introduction, again paying out no money for millions of dollars in promotion by the media and internet. If they send out an invitation for something new the media will be able to react within hours if needed.

It seems like many mentions of the updated iPhone suggest an increase in price. So perhaps the purchasing strategy for those who want an iPhone should be to buy one at your store (if they have stock), or just order it online. Don't open it. Then wait 13 days to be within the return policy timeframe, return it and then go home and reorder the phone and repeat that cycle. Then, whenever they release it you'll end up getting an updated version that you can upgrade probably with no additional cost. Plus, you have the added benefit of being able to work yourself into ever increasing amounts of impatient frustration.

Possibly we should all agree to put this argument on hiatus. The only way it will be resolved is when Jobs himself takes the stage, and states whether or not Apple met its goals.

But even that won't necessarily settle the argument, because if they meet the goal of 10 million from Jan 1 2008 to Dec 31 2008, they will have by default met the target of 10 million from launch to end of 2008.

Even then if they fail to ship 10 million in calendar 2008 but do manage 10 million from launch, and then claim they met their original target, the "10 million claim means 10 million in the 2008 calendar year" adherents will simply argue that Apple made a deliberately vague original target that would enable them to backtrack in this eventuality.

Anyway, my 2 cents worth is that things Apple said several weeks ago clarified their original statement and they are expecting to sell 10 million iPhone units in the 2008 calendar year (and by extension, well over 10 million when counted from launch date to end of 2008).

But even that won't necessarily settle the argument, because if they meet the goal of 10 million from Jan 1 2008 to Dec 31 2008, they will have by default met the target of 10 million from launch to end of 2008.

Even then if they fail to ship 10 million in calendar 2008 but do manage 10 million from launch, and then claim they met their original target, the "10 million claim means 10 million in the 2008 calendar year" adherents will simply argue that Apple made a deliberately vague original target that would enable them to backtrack in this eventuality.

Anyway, my 2 cents worth is that things Apple said several weeks ago clarified their original statement and they are expecting to sell 10 million iPhone units in the 2008 calendar year (and by extension, well over 10 million when counted from launch date to end of 2008).

At this point, I consider the whole thing to be irrelevant. It's just not worth spending our time over. Whatever happens, happens. We have no control over it anyway.

If Apple and the investor community are happy, fine. If not, there's nothing we can do about it. All it's done here is to frazzle nerves, and start arguments over semantics.

At this point, I consider the whole thing to be irrelevant. It's just not worth spending our time over. Whatever happens, happens. We have no control over it anyway.

Oh, I agree absolutely. I haven't previously partaken in this "debate", just watched on from the sidelines quietly amused All I've done now is stated my interpretation of what Apple have said, I don't intend to defend that interpretation. If others interpret differently what Apple have said, so be it.

today i was in Apple Store Santa Rosa Plaza in California, and overheard two conversations.

The first involved a couple of employees and one customer and they were telling him they were out of iPhones, and that they were expecting new ones in a few days possibly.

The second, and more exciting, involved two employees, one a manager, and one a consierge. The manager was holding one of the price cards that they have out one display next to the computers and iPods, etc in the plastic holders, and they were talking about how 700 minutes would be "more than enough." Well, there is no iPhone plan currently with 700 minutes!! And i heard at the beginining of the conversation the manager say that this was "the new pricing for the iPhone," so i looked over. Unfortunatly, she saw me and so i had to be super sneaky, but i didnt get as much info as i would like...